| Abstract Submission No. | ABS-3.1-0190 |
| Title of Abstract | Reactivation Potential of Faults and Seismic Hazard in and around the Delhi-NCR. |
| Authors | Sudipto Bhattacharjee*, Sanjay Kumar Prajapati, Uma Shankar, O.P. Mishra |
| Organisation | National Center for Seismology, Ministry of Earth Sciences |
| Address | National Center for Seismology, Mausam Bhawan, Lodhi road, New Delhi, Delhi, India Pincode: 1100003 E-mail: sudiptob1996@gmail.com |
| Country | India |
| Presentation | Oral |
| Abstract | The Delhi-National Capital Region (Delhi-NCR), located within the central Indian plate, experiences notable intraplate seismicity, characterised by shallow, non-repeating earthquakes distributed across the region. Localised stress variations and fault geometries increasingly influence the episodic reactivation of ancient faults, causing these seismic events. The tectonic framework of Delhi-NCR, despite its high population density and urban sensitivity, has not received enough attention in terms of its potential for reactivation. The current study presents the first integrated assessment of fault reactivation likelihood in the region, utilising a hybrid approach that combines fault slips with mapped fault traces to compute slip tendencies, dilatation tendencies, and fracture susceptibility. These parameters offer a multidimensional perspective on the mechanical readiness of faults to slip under current stress regimes. The results reveal marked contrasts in fault behaviour between the northern and southern sectors of Delhi (NCR). In the northern region, NE-SW-oriented faults tend to be well-situated for reactivation; however, in the southern region, NW-SE-trending faults, in conjunction with dominant NE-SW-oriented faults, confound this theory. In the eastern part of the northern sector, low fracture susceptibility coincides with high slip and dilatation tendencies, suggesting localised stress accommodations. Meanwhile, the southern region shows geometric irregularities that could amplify stress perturbations through pore pressure variations. This structural complexity highlights the role of fault geometry in modulating stress transfer and influencing seismic potential. Overall, the findings emphasise the heterogeneous nature of the regional stress field and fault architecture, highlighting their significance in understanding earthquake generation processes and improving seismic hazard models for this densely inhabited and tectonically active region. |
| Keywords | Delhi-NCR; Reactivation potential; Slip Tendency; Fault geometry |